Huguette M. Clark’s Amazing Pink Diamond

Remember the story in a previous blog entry about Huguette M. Clark’s jewelry? Her 9 carat Belle Epoque cushion-cut, fancy vivid purplish pink diamond ring sold at Christie’s for more than 15.7 million yesterday! It is the most valuable diamond ever sold in the US at a Christie’s auction. The “Clark Pink” as it was named, was supposed to fetch around $6-$8 million, nearly twice as much as its high pre-sale estimate. It was purchased by Brett Stettner of Stettner Investment Diamonds, who will be renaming the piece “Clark Grenald Stettner” Pink.

Clark, was one of the last heiresses of America’s Gilded Age. She died in May of 2011, at the age of 104. Her amazing collection of 12 different lots drew a lot of attention because she lived a reclusive life in and her jewels were believed to have been vaulted and unseen since the 1940’s.

Other pieces from the Clark collection included a 20-carat D-color diamond ring, which sold for $3.1 million, well over its high estimate.

Clark’s collection was part of Christie’s Magnificent Jewels Auction, that had 305 lots that included some signature jewelry and items from several estates. It took in a total of $70.7 million, with 95% of the items sold by lot and 97% of the estimated price that were originally realized.

Ms. Clark left nothing to any members of her family, but gave millions to a nurse, who became her closest companion. The will is still being contested.